The buzz around the latest season of Variety’s “Actors on Actors” has reached a fever pitch, especially with the intriguing pairing of Jennifer Aniston and Quinta Brunson. This match-up has sparked a flurry of reactions online, with many users on X (formerly Twitter) expressing their thoughts. One user humorously commented, “This is a choice lol,” which quickly garnered over 13,000 likes. Another user pointed out, “Wasn’t Aniston shady a few months back about how the internet era was ‘changing’ who becomes famous,” suggesting that Brunson should remind Aniston of that interview and put her in her place. The sentiment was echoed by another user who described Jennifer’s stance on internet fame as “Very much ‘we need to gatekeep’ Hollywood energy.” They added, “I need this to come up because Quinta has used social media perfectly to bust down doors for herself.”
Quinta Brunson and Jennifer Aniston have been paired for Variety’s Actors On Actors. pic.twitter.com/WaIwuqVppR
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) May 29, 2024
Variety’s “Actors on Actors” is back with some of the biggest names in the 2022 TV Emmys race for its 16th season. The lineup includes stars like Zendaya, Andrew Garfield, Jeremy Strong, Jennifer Aniston, Viola Davis, Anne Hathaway, Sebastian Stan, and Sandra Oh. The 13 one-on-one conversations will begin airing on June 7 on Variety.com and their social media channels, with the official “Actors on Actors” magazine hitting newsstands on June 8. This marks the first time in over two years that “Actors on Actors” has been conducted in person, as previous seasons went virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The conversations will also be compiled into four episodes that will debut on PBS SoCal on June 17 at 8 p.m. PT. All episodes will be available for streaming on pbssocal.org and the free PBS app following their premieres.
This year’s “Actors on Actors” pairings include:
Jennifer Aniston (“The Morning Show”) with Sebastian Stan (“Pam & Tommy”)
Quinta Brunson (“Abbott Elementary”) with Adam Scott (“Severance”)
Viola Davis (“The First Lady”) with Samuel L. Jackson (“The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey”)
Zendaya (“Euphoria”) with Andrew Garfield (“Under the Banner of Heaven”)
Anne Hathaway (“WeCrashed”) with Jeremy Strong (“Succession”)
Courteney Cox (“Shining Vale”) with Faith Hill (“1883”)
Tom Hiddleston (“The Essex Serpent” and “Loki”) with Lily James (“Pam & Tommy”)
Jung Ho-yeon (“Squid Game”) with Sandra Oh (“The Chair” and “Killing Eve”)
Christina Ricci (“Yellowjackets”) with Sydney Sweeney (“Euphoria”)
Jared Leto (“WeCrashed”) with Amanda Seyfried (“The Dropout”)
Martin Short (“Only Murders in the Building”) with Jean Smart (“Hacks”)
Cynthia Nixon (“And Just Like That” and “The Gilded Age”) with Bowen Yang (“Saturday Night Live”)
Josh Brolin (“Outer Range”) with a mystery guest
“Variety Studio: Actors on Actors” has previously won a Daytime Emmy Award in 2019, as well as the Los Angeles Area Emmy Award for best entertainment programming in 2015 and 2016. The series is produced by PBS SoCal in partnership with Variety Media, LLC.
The pairing of Jennifer Aniston and Quinta Brunson is particularly noteworthy given the contrasting paths they have taken to fame. Aniston, a household name since her days on “Friends,” has been vocal about her views on the changing landscape of fame in the internet era. On the other hand, Brunson has leveraged social media to catapult her career, making her a prime example of the new wave of internet-born celebrities.
This dynamic is sure to make their conversation one of the most anticipated of the season. Fans are eager to see if the topic of internet fame will come up and how the two actresses will navigate the discussion. With both stars bringing their unique perspectives and experiences to the table, it promises to be a compelling and insightful exchange.
As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, platforms like “Actors on Actors” provide a valuable space for these important conversations. The series not only highlights the achievements of these talented individuals but also delves into the broader issues affecting the industry today.
With the return of in-person interviews, this season of “Actors on Actors” is set to be more engaging than ever. The face-to-face interactions allow for a deeper connection and more nuanced discussions, something that was somewhat lost in the virtual format.
As we look forward to the premiere, the pairing of Jennifer Aniston and Quinta Brunson stands out as a must-watch. Their conversation is expected to be a highlight of the season, offering viewers a rare glimpse into the minds of two actresses who have navigated very different paths to success.
